Beat Feuz wins World Cup downhill title from Dominik Paris

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(CNN)Consistency was king for speed merchant Beat Feuz as the Swiss racer successfully defended his World Cup downhill season title in a tense battle with Italian Dominik Paris.

The 32-year-old Feuz took an 80-point lead over Paris into the last downhill of the season at the World Cup finals in Soldeu, Andorra and finished sixth behind winner Paris to seal the Crystal Globe.Feuz won just one of the eight downhill races on the calendar, but he picked up regular points with five podium places to pip Paris, who scored his third Kitzbuhel Hahnenkamm victory this season.READ: Skiing’s bucket-list party even Arnie can’t missParis’ win-or-bust style earned him four downhill wins but he only managed one other podium place to fall 20 points short of Feuz in the title race. Read More”It’s unbelievable to have two globes now,” Feuz, the 2017 downhill world champion, told Eurosport in the finish area in Soldeu. “I’m very proud to have this in my hands.”Visit CNN.com/Sport for more news, features and videos Photos: Stunning images from ski racingWinter wonderland – Snow covers the mountains and the 2018-2019 ski racing season is under way. Here’s some of the best photos from the circuit.Hide Caption 1 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingTaste of victory – Marcel Hirscher shares his slalom victory in Levi, Finland, with a friend.Hide Caption 2 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingAll in the landing – Klaus Brandner looks to regain his balance as he races in Beaver Creek, Colorado.Hide Caption 3 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingFeeling the snow – Mikaela Shiffrin gets low to the ground in St Moritz, where she won the parallel slalom and super-G events.Hide Caption 4 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingShining light – The giant slalom slope of Val d’Isère shines amid dark skies; the slalom was canceled because of bad weather.Hide Caption 5 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingLeap of faith – France’s Alexis Pinturault searches for speed en route to a third-placed finish in Alta Badia, Italy.Hide Caption 6 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingPoles apart – Petra Vlhova in action at the women’s slalom in Semmering, Austria.Hide Caption 7 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingSnowballing out of control – Norway’s Mina Fuerst Holtmann crashes out in Zagreb’s women’s slalom.Hide Caption 8 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingLeaving a trace – US skier Thomas Biesemeyer leaves a spray of snow behind him as he cuts inside.Hide Caption 9 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingCrashing out – Canada’s Erin Mielzynski ends up on her back during the women’s slalom in Zagreb.Hide Caption 10 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingThe queen's coronation – Mikaela Shiffrin celebrates with champagne and a crown after winning the women’s slalom in Zagreb.Hide Caption 11 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingA winter's image – Marcel Hirscher flies round a bend during a winning run at the picturesque Adelboden.Hide Caption 12 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingFlying the flag – Austria’s Marcel Hirscher is presented as the winner of the giant slalom race in Adelboden.Hide Caption 13 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingSnow distraction – Mikaela Shiffrin closes her eyes as her runners-up celebrate by throwing snowballs at her in Kronplatz.Hide Caption 14 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingPosing for the camera – Italy’s Federica Brignone competes in the women’s giant slalom at Kronplatz.Hide Caption 15 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingBalancing act – Travis Ganong in super-G action on a hazy day.Hide Caption 16 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingJumping for joy – Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr flies through the Wengen air during his winning run in the men’s downhill event.Hide Caption 17 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingThe sky's the limit – Matthias Mayer steadies himself before beginning his downhill, with the clouds above him mirroring the Wengen mountains.Hide Caption 18 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingA mountain to climb – A female skier competes against the domineering backdrop of Cortina’s rocky mountains.Hide Caption 19 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingPicture perfect – Mikaela Shiffrin wins in Cortina as she dominates the super-G in the Italian mountains.Hide Caption 20 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingWhite as snow – Jonathan Nordbotten slaloms towards the Kitzbuhel faithful on a snow-filled day in Austria.Hide Caption 21 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingArnie – “He’s back…!” Muscleman, movie star and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger takes in the action during his regular visit to the Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbuhel.Hide Caption 22 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingItalian style – Dominik Paris in action on his way to winning the men’s downhill in Kitzbuhel, Austria.Hide Caption 23 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingAirborne – Manuel Schmid takes an insect-like leap during his super-G run at Kitzbuehel.Hide Caption 24 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingPick that one out – Italy’s Sofia Goggia celebrates finishing second in the women’s downhill in Garmisch.Hide Caption 25 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingLying low – Swiss skier Luana Fluetsch appears almost flat on the snow as she competes in the super-G in Garmisch.Hide Caption 26 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingOne of the World Cup circuit’s most celebrated events is the night slalom in Schladming, Austria. Thousands of ski racing fans line the slope to watch the world’s best compete under floodlights. Local hero Marcel Hirscher triumphed again this year.Hide Caption 27 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingSwerving all obstacles – Marcel Hirscher focuses as he slides past the poles during the slalom.Hide Caption 28 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingLight in the darkness – Alexis Pinturault takes second place at night during the men’s slalom in Schladming.Hide Caption 29 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingDisturbing the surface – Switzerland’s Daniel Yule competes in SchladmingHide Caption 30 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingBlack and white – The silhouette of Gabriela Capova stands out as she competes in the slalom event in Maribor.Hide Caption 31 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingSnowed under – Fans in Garmisch seek shelter as the men’s competition is canceled due to weather conditions.Hide Caption 32 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingA World Championship view – Are, the home of the 2019 World Ski Championships.Hide Caption 33 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingA moment of panic – Lindsey Vonn is surrounded after a gruesome fall at the World Championships in Are.Hide Caption 34 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingBack on her feet – Lindsey Vonn is helped after crashing out of the penultimate race of her career in the super-G event at the World Championships in Are.Hide Caption 35 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingA fairytale ending – Despite crashing earlier in the week, Lindsey Vonn goes out in style at the World Championships in Are.Hide Caption 36 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingA legend's farewell – Vonn celebrates winning World Championship bronze in the downhill in her final race before retirement.Hide Caption 37 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingThis way and that – Slovenia’s Stefan Hadalin competes in the first run of the men’s giant slalom at the World Championships in Are.Hide Caption 38 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingPole position – Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway steps out of long-time rival Marcel Hrischer’s shadow to win gold in the giant slalom in Are.Hide Caption 39 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingPicture perfect – Sweden’s Anna Swenn-Larsson reacts after winning silver in the slalom at the World Ski Championships in Are.Hide Caption 40 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingOvercome with emotion – Mikaela Shiffrin collapses to the ground in delight as she wins her fourth consecutive gold in the slalom at the World Ski Championships.Hide Caption 41 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingWhen perils of the slalom – Mikaela Shiffrin finds herself in a tangle during the city event in Stockholm.Hide Caption 42 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingGrey – The men’s super-G is canceled due to a of heavy overnight snowfall.Hide Caption 43 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingPhotographic perfection – A racer’s silhouette arches across a peerless landscape.Hide Caption 44 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingChild's play – Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener poses with a furry mascot during the combined event at Crans-Montana.Hide Caption 45 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingTaking the plaudits – Italy’s Federica Brignone celebrates her victory in the Alpine combined race at Crans-Montana.Hide Caption 46 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingWhen poles collide – French racer Alexis Pinturault in action during the giant slalom in Bansko, Bulgaria.Hide Caption 47 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingBeaten by the elements – The women’s super-G falls victim to Sochi’s curious weather patterns.Hide Caption 48 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingNo-go zone – The Rosa Khutor resort in Sochi looks a ghostly, isolated picture after competition is called off due to conditions.Hide Caption 49 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingUp in the canopies – Switzerland’s Priska Nufer leaps as she competes in the downhill at Crans-Montana.Hide Caption 50 of 51 Photos: Stunning images from ski racingSnow blue – Slovenia’s Ilka Stuhec leaves a path of turquoise in her trail at Crans-Montana.Hide Caption 51 of 51 Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayer, who won the Lauberhorn Classic in Wengen, was third overall in the season standings.Norwegian Kjetil Jansrud was 0.34 seconds behind Paris under sunny skies in Andorra with Austrian Otmar Striedinger in third.JUST WATCHEDMikaela Shiffrin: Lead singer? 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Mikaela Shiffrin: Lead singer? Big night out? 01:37The men’s speed skiers will contest a super-G Thursday. Paris, the super-G world champion, is leading in the standings as he chases a first Crystal Globe in any discipline. Austrian slalom specialist Marcel Hirscher has already sealed an unprecedented eighth World Cup overall title and sixth slalom crown in seven years.READ: Is Marcel Hirscher the greatest ski racer of all time?On the women’s circuit, Mikaela Shiffrin, who celebrated her 24th birthday Wednesday, has wrapped up a third straight overall title and also clinched a sixth slalom victory in seven years.The American is leading the women’s super-G standings and can wrap up a first super-G Crystal Globe Thursday.Shiffrin has been in domineering form this term and set a new record of 15 wins in a season, moving ahead of Swiss great Vreni Schneider. The World Cup finals features the last races in each discipline and brings down the curtain on the 2018-2019 season.